Sponge cleaning implement having releasable holder for its sponge pad



Oct. ll, 1960 J. D. JURKANIS 2,955,311

sPoNGE CLEANING INPLEMENT HAVING RELEASABLE HOLDER Foa ITS sPoNGE PAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1956 Oct. l1', 1960 J D. JURKANIS 2,955,311

SPONGE CLEANIN IMPLEMENT HAVING RELEASABLE HOLDER FOR ITS SPONGE PAD Filed Aug. 7, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

United .States Patent SPONGE CLEANING llVlPLEMENT HAVING RE.-

LEASABLE HOLDER FOR ITS SPONGE PAD John D. Jurkanis, 4314 S. Archer, Chicago, Ill. Filed Aug. 7, 1956, Ser. No. 602,592

8 Claims. (Cl. 15-130) This invention relates to cleaning devices and more specifically to a novel device for mounting a cleaning pad on a reach.

Y A general object of the invention is to provide a novel, simple and eflicient clamping device for securing a cleaning pad to an associated holder.

A further object is to devise a mounting means which is designed to facilitate manufacture and which readily lends itself to assembly line mass production.

A more specific object is to devise a novel clamp for a holder wherein there are provided teeth which are projected downwardly out of the holder for penetrating a sponge pad held thereagainst, the teeth being pivotal to swing upwardly and outwardly of the holder and in clamping position extending toward the lateral sides thereof into the direction of the work, toward which the 'sponge is urged so that as it is moved back and forth, the leading portion of the pad is being impaled on the teeth and not withdrawn as in conventional devices.

A still further object is to provide a clamping device as described wherein the teeth cooperate with a housing to draw the pad against the holder which in one `form of the invention is a housing into which water is introduced through a handle, the pad being stretched over and drawn against the open end of the housing for peripheral sealing 'engagement therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel lever actuated means for actuating the teeth in securing and releasing relation to the sponge and means for releasably locking said means in securing position.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the specification and the drawings, wherein: Y i

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken approxi- Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially online 7 7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a View comparable to Figure 7 showing the parts in released position, and i yFigure 9 is a bottom view with the pad removed, on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Describingthe invention in detail and referring first to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 5, the holder generally indicated 2 comprises a' rectangular housing 3 including a top 4 and four integral depending interconnected end and side walls 5, 6 and 7, `8.

The top wall 4 is provided with a central inlet opening i 9 about which is connected to the top wall 4 one end of a reach 10 in the form of a pipe through which cleaningl lluid, preferably water is admitted into the housing for soaking and flushing and supplying fluid to the cleaning pad 11, which is herein shown as a rectangular cellulose sponge, the pad having its inner side 12 disposed across the open side or bottom 13 of the housing and in tight, sealed peripheral engagement at 14 with the lower edges of the side Walls of the housing.

The pad is releasably held in assembled relation with the support 2 by a securing and clamping device 15 which is inserted into the housing, said device comprising a pair of end members 16 and 17 which are herein shown as made from wood, and these members lit against the inner sides of the end walls 5 and 6 and extend from wall 7 to wall 8. The end members 16 and 17 support a plurality of laterally spaced rods 19, 19 therebetween which at their ends are fitted into tight sockets 20 and 21 in the members 16 and 17. The rods collectively provide a backing for the sponge to prevent its inward displacement attendant to its being pressed with its external side 23 against the surface it is to wash.

The end members 16 and 17 pivotally support adjacent to their ends a pair of pivotal support members or tine bars 24, 24 which parallel the side walls 7 and 8. The members 24, 24 it at opposite ends into sockets 26, 2.7 ,in the members 16 and 17 and are rotated by resilient levers 30, 30 connected thereto intermediate their ends. These levers in the clamping position are laid against the internal side of the backing and are hooked as at 32, 32 under the overhanging latch lugs 33, 33 which extend from opposite sides of the plate element 35 which is connected to the center rod 19.1

The rods or supports 24 are connected to the root ends of the shank portions of outwardly extending teeth or tines 26' which have curved outer ends 27 terminating in sharp points 28. The curvature directs the points downwardly and outwardly in the disassembled position and in the operating position the outer ends curve upwardly and outwardly and the teeth project outwardly toward the respective walls 7 and 8.

Assuming that the parts are assembled, in order to disconnect them the clamp is removed from the housing by removing the screws 36, 37 which extend through apertures in the end walls 5, 6 and are threaded into the end members 16 and 17. The sponge 11 and clamp ,-15 are withdrawn together from the bottom side of the housing and then the levers are sprung or deected laterally to clear the respective locking catches 33 and then swing upwardly as in Figure 5 whereby the teeth are swung inwardly and upwardly and withdrawn from the pad thus releasing it. In order to reassemble, the pad is centered on tne clamp and the toothed structures are swung to the position shown in Figure 4 with the levers latched under the locking lugs. The outward movement of the teeth stretches the pad against the backing ribs 19. The clamping unit is then inserted into the housing until there is tight engagements between the bottom edges of the housing and the top side of the sponge. The screws 36 and 37 are then applied.

Referring now to Figures 6 through 9, the invention is illustrated as applied in a mop head, which includes a handle or reach-50, the lower outer end of which may be suitably secured to the center of the body portion 51 of a head or support 52 which is herein shown as a flat plate formed of sheet metal.

The head which is preferably rectangular in lplanis provided along opposite longitudinal front and rear edges thereof with upwardly bentl front and rear anges 53 and 54 which at their upper edges are joined respectively with outwardly generally horizontally extending flanges 55 and 56, which form bumper rails.

The anges 53, 54 form with plate 51 front and rear interior corners 57 and 58 respectively along which are laid the pivot members or tine bars 59 and 60 which are retained in the corners by the lugs 61 and 62 cut out of vthe flanges 55 and 56 and bent over the rods. The support elements 59 and 60 are provided with outwardly projecting teeth or tines 63, 64';- which as in the previous rembodiment -are hook-shaped and have their curved pointed outer ends 63', 64 directed downwardly and outwardly in the released position of the parts as seen in Figure 8 and are directed upwardly and outwardly and extend beneath the respective anges 55 and 56 and deform the adjacent lateral portions 65 and .65 of the sponge 66 against the external sides 66 and 67 of the .upward flanges 63 and 54 and against Vthe undersides ,68 and 69 of llanges 55 and 56 while stretching the top :or inner side '79 ,of the sponge against the bottom 71 of the body portion -of ,the support head. The needles 63, 64 project through respective aligned slots 72, 73 which .are formed in the corners 57 and 5S. The tine bars are rotated by ,resilient lever members 74, 75 which are connected thereto and .each lever is adapted to fold against the .top sideof the body portion and hook under the latches 76, '77 which are bent out of the body portion upwardly thereof. y'For purposes of strength the body may be provided with end walls 82, `83 which may be welded `to the walls or anges S3, 54.

In operation, assuming that the parts are assembled, in order to disconnect .the sponge from the head, the levers 74, 75 are `deflected out from under the catches 76, 77 and swing upwardly as seen in Figure 8. In this position the needles 63, 64 move to the narrow inner ends 78, 79 ofthe slots 72, 73 with their shank portions Si), 81 directed inwardly and the curved outer ends directed downwardly and outwardly. Ihus the sponge is stripped off the needles. In order to reassemble the sponge or pad and the head are positioned as shown in Figure 8. Then the sponge is pressed with its top side centered against the bottom of the .body portion. Then the tine bars are rotated to the position shown in Figure v7 whereby stretching the pad and deforrning itas aforesaid. The levers are then snapped under the respective latches. Thus it will be seen that the device is ready for operation.

It will be observed that in each embodiment the tines are directed outwardly and hold the sponge impaled thereon no matter in which direction the sponge is moved. The tension developed `from rotation of the tines also keeps the sponge from working off and holds it pressed against the associated backing. In each embodiment the pad iscompressed along its lateral edge portions against its associated holder structure.

`lt will be understood that the embodiments herein disclosed are not necessarily all inclusive of the invention, but are presented by way of explanation and illustration and that various other forms and designs will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art as suggested by the foregoing specilication and the appended claims.

I claim:

`l. A sponge and holder therefor comprising a substantially rectangular support structure including two opposite lateral edges, clamping means comprising tine bars pivotally supported from said structure along each of said lateral edges inwardly thereof and generally parallel thereto and substantially coextensive therewith for pivotal movement on axes generally parallel to the plane of the structure, a generally rectangular sponge pad of stretchable material larger than said structure disposed therebeneath and in direct contact therewith, a plurality of teeth on each tine bar spaced lengthwise thereof and in operating position projecting outwardly therefrom toward the adjacent edge and having outer end portions curving upwardly and outwardly, said teeth penetrating said sponge and compressing portions of the sponge between the same and said structure outwardly of said bars, said teeth disposed in their released position inwardly of respective `including atleast one tine bar edges and being swingable outwardly while simultaneously engaging the sponge adjacent to opposite edges and wrapping the sponge with ,a stretching fit against said support structure, and resilient levers connected to respective tine bars and projecting above the structure and positioned in a plane generally parallel to the structure coincidental with the tine Vbars being disposed in operating position, and latch Vmeans extending upwardly from said structure vtransversely to Vthe plane of the path lof swinging movement of respective levers and engageable behind the related levers and releasable therefrom attendant to the levers Abeing deeeted laterally away therefrom.

2. A sponge and holder therefor comprising a substantially rectangularlsupport Vstructure .including two opposite lateral edges, clamping means comprising tine bars pivotally supported from said structure along each of said lateral edges inwardly thereof and generally parallel thereto and substantially coextensive therewith for 'pivotal movement on axes generally parallel to the plane of the structure disposed therebeneath, a plurality of teeth on each tine bar spaced lengthwise thereof and in operating position projecting outwardly therefrom toward the adjacent edge and having outer end portions curving upwardly and outwardly, said teeth penetrating said sponge and compressing portions of the sponge between the same and said structure outwardly of said bars, and further characterized in that said clamping means comprises a pair of end members disposed within and connected to opposite ends of said structure, and a plurality of rods extending between and connected to said end members and providing a backing for said pad, and said structure comprising a 4housing having an inlet for cleaning fluid.

3. A sponge and holder therefor comprising a substantially rectangular support structure including two opposite lateral edges, clamping means comprising tine bars pivotally supported from said structure along each of said lateral edges inwardly thereof and generally parallel thereto and substantially coextensive therewith for pivotal movement on axes generally parallel to the plane of the structure disposed therebeneath, a plurality of teeth on each tine bar spaced lengthwise thereof and in operating position projecting outwardly therefrom toward the adjacent edge and having outer end portions curving upwardly and outwardly, said teeth penetrating said sponge and compressing portions of the sponge between the same and said structure outwardly of said bars, said structure comprising a plate portion disposed in backing relation to the pad, a handle connected to said plate, and

said tine bars disposed atop said plate portion vand said tines on respective bars projecting downwardly .through individual slots in said plate portion; and said slots defined by margins converging inwardly of thelateral edges of said plate portion, and upstanding flanges on said lateral edges and said slots having upwardly extending sides.

4. In a device of the class described, a support structure including a substantially planar bottom and having elongated opposite margins, a pad of sponge material seated against said bottom and extending outwardly of said margins, means for tensioning the pad between said margins and holding the same against said bottom and extending alongside one of said margins and secured to said structure for pivotal movement on anaxis generally parallel thereto, a pluralityl of teeth connected-to said bar and spaced lengthw1se thereof, and in the lclamping position thereof curving upwardly outwardly therefrom and penetrating contiguous portions of the pad, means for swinging said `tooth bar from clamping to release position for withdrawing the teeth from the pad, and means on said structure disposed adjacent to'the path of movement of the teethinwardly of -Said axis of pivot of the bar for stripping the pad from said teeth and a lever connected to the tine bar and swingable against the top side of said-bottom, and means On the bottom releasably engaging the lever.

I'. A holder for a pad having a base part with opposite edges, tine bars pivotally supported from said part along respective edges, and a plurality of outwardly extending teeth on each bar, said teeth in released position extending inwardly of the bars therebelow and presenting downwardly directed pointed ends, and means for pivoting said bars in a direction swinging said teeth outwardly and upwardly for penetrating an associated pad therebeneath, and said base part including a pair of end members and a plurality of laterally spaced elements interconnecting said members and dening interstces therebetween for the passage of fluid therethrough to the pad and presenting a planar area affording a backing for an associated pad.

6. 'In a device of the class described, a holder comprising a rectangular structure including a horizontal plate portion and vertical end and side walls, clamping means within said structure including pivot bars pivotally supported adjacent respective side walls between Vthe same and generally parallel to said horizontal plate portion, a plurality of tines on each bar extending inwardly thereof in the released position of said clamping means and having end portions curving downwardly and outwardly, a sponge pad disposed beneath said structure and adapted to be pressed onto said end portions, and operating means for rotating said bars in directions swinging said teeth outwardly and upwardly for stretching said pad therebetween and urging it upwardly against an opposing part of said side walls of said structure, and means for releasably holding said operating means in the holding position thereof.

7. In a device of the class described, a holder comprising a rectangular structure including a horizontalplate portion and vertical end and side walls, clamping means within said structure including pivot bars pivotally supported adjacent respective side walls between the same and generally parallel to said horizontal plate portion, a

plurality of tines on each bar extending inwardly thereof in the released position of said clamping means and having end portions curving downwardlyand outwardly, a sponge pad disposed beneath said structure and adapted to be pressed onto said end portions, and operating means for rotating said bars in directions swinging said teeth outwardly and upwardly for stretching said pad therebetween and urging it upwardly against an opposing surface of said structure, and means for releasably holding said operating means in the holding position thereof and said structure defining a housing and said plate portion having a water inlet opening, and said clamping means comprising end members and a grid therebetween disposed in backing relation to said pad, and means releasably connecting said clamping means to the housing.

8. In a device of the class described, a holder comprising a rectangular structure including a horizontal plate portion and vertical end and side walls, clamping means within said structure including pivot bars pivotally supported adjacent respective side walls between the same and generally parallel to said horizontal plate portion, a plurality of tines on each bar extending inwardly thereof in the released position of said clamping means and having end portions curving downwardly and outwardly, a sponge pad disposed beneath said structure and adapted to be pressed onto said end portions, and operating means for rotating said bars in directions swinging said teeth outwardly and upwardly for stretching said pad therebetween and urging it upwardly against an opposing surface of said structure, and means for releasably holding said operating means in the holding position thereof, and combination bumper and abutment means on each side Wall and said teeth extending through slots in said side walls and adjacent portion of the plate and in holding position projecting outwardly of respective side walls.

References `Cited in the file of this patent Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,095,138 Keller oct. 5, 1937 2,213,732 v ooidberg sept. 5, 1940 2,358,673 Vaughn Sept. 19, 1944 2,708,282 Vaughn May 17, 1955 2,799,038 McCall Ju1y 16, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 278,702 Italy oct. 17, 1930 651,626 Germany oct. 16, 1.937 

